Published in the Iola Register on Apr. 29, 2013.

HERMAN J. KOCH

HERMAN J. KOCHHerman J. Koch, 98 years of age, of Concordia, formerly of Clyde, died April 26, 2013, at Cloud County Health Center in Concordia.Herman was born April 7, 1915, south of Ames to Nicholas and Cordelia (Menard) Koch. He was a lifetime farmer-stockman in the Clyde community. He married Mayme (McCawley) Koch on June 13, 1949. Herman and Mayme were parents of three children: James, Thomas and Ann. Mayme passed away in 1973. Herman later married Elsine Chavey on Aug. 3, 1974. Herman enjoyed farming, loved to play cards and was an avid baseball fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. Herman was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council #1999 and Bishop Thill 4th Degree Assembly. He served in the Pacific theater during World War II, and was a charter member and past commander of VFW Post #7515 in Clyde.Herman's passion for agriculture led him to active involvement in the National Farmers Organization. He served that organization as County President, State Treasurer and National Director for more than 30 years. In addition, he served as the National Farmers Organization's representative to the Kansas Board of Agriculture.Herman is survive by his wife, Elsine; two sons, James and wife Jacqueline, Thomas and wife Victorine, both of Clyde; four grandchildren, Jeff and wife Jennifer, Julie and fiancé Kevin Simpson, Laurel Koch, Michaela Koch; two great-grandsons, Bradley and Douglas Koch; five step children, Tom Chavey and wife Sue of Manhattan, Irene Tremblay and husband Ray, Jean Sorell and husband Steve, both of Clyde, Mary Beth Kieffer of Manhattan, Mark Chavey and wife Julie of Lenexa; 13 step grandchildren; 24 step great-grandchildren; two step great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Aloysius Koch and wife Beth of Salina; and two sisters, Florence Fischer of Beattie and Cecilia Deneault of Clyde.Herman was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mayme (McCawley) Koch; daughter, Ann Marie; great-grandson, Steven; step grandson, Brandon; step great-grandson, Stefan; and nine brothers and sisters.Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 30, 2013, in the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Clyde with the Rev. Larry Letourneau officiating. Interment will be in the Mount Calvary Cemetery in Clyde with military rites by V.F.W. Post #7515.Visitation will be from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday, April 29, 2013, at Chaput Mortuary in Clyde with a vigil service to follow at 6:30 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Clyde. Memorials are suggested to the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Scholarship Fund or V.F.W. Post #7515 in care of the funeral home.Condolences may be left online at www.chaptubuoy.com. Chaput Mortuary in Clyde is in charge of arrangements.